Top 10 Tips for Coaching Youth

BALTIMORE - For many coaches, the annual US
Lacrosse National Convention presents an opportunity to learn new
game strategies or perhaps discover a specific drill that will help
make the upcoming season a success. But one of the most informative
presentations on Friday's full slate of sessions had very little to
do with X's and O's or goalie technique.

Dr. Richard Ginsburg, a noted sports psychologist and member of
the faculty at Harvard Medical School, presented what he called his
"Top 10 Tips for Coaching Youth." Ginsburg, who also serves as a
member of US Lacrosse's Sports, Science and Safety Committee, began
the session by challenging the coaches to examine what they love
about the game and to consider what inspires them to coach. He then
asked the audience to define success -- with answers ranging from
winning to having fun, from skill improvement to learning
sportsmanship.

Ginsburg then highlighted his 10 tenets, listed here.

1. Fun is essential. Studies have shown a
strong correlation between enjoyment of the activity and
participation longevity. Kids remain active in a sport if they are
having fun. Performance also improves when participants enjoy
playing the game.

2. Teach sportsmanship early. Coaches must
seize the opportunity to impart good values (integrity, respect,
compassion, etc.) and to model good behavior.

3. Remember that kids are not mini-adults. Kids
are a work in progress and must be treated and coached differently
than adult participants.

4. Design age-appropriate practices. Coaches
should consider the physical, psychological and cognitive abilities
of youth players when developing practice plans. Drills and plays
should use the appropriate complexity, based on the age of the
players. Coaches should be organized to minimize the amount of time
spent standing around during practice.

5. Define success appropriately for each age
group. For pre-kindergarten and kindergarten-aged kids,
the primary focus should be on having fun and safe activity that
provides kids with joy of movement. Among elementary school-aged
youth, the emphasis should evolve into developing skill
competencies and building friendships. With middle school and high
school players, defining identity and recognizing their individual
strengths and weaknesses become part of the equation.

6. Provide positive feedback. Coaches are
encouraged to give accurate praise. Research shows that a ratio of
at least 5:1 between positive and negative feedback is needed.

7. Save specialization for older kids. Ginsburg
said that research shows that 10,000 hours of activity are
necessary to move a person's skill set to a significantly upgraded
level. Is that the kind of commitment a younger player should be
making to the game? The motivation to participate must be
intrinsic.

8. Avoid over-training. Ginsburg stresses that
youth play just one sport per season and have at least 1-2 days off
per week. He also encourages that kids have extended time off,
preferably a break of at least two or three months from the game.
He also cautions against a dramatic increase in training levels to
minimize the risk of injury from overuse.

10. Avoid "playing up." The temptation is to
move kids into older age groupings based on skill level or physical
development. But Ginsburg says there is a benefit to being the best
player on the team. It helps develop other abilities, like
leadership skills and patience. There could also be injury risks
and risks of social alienation for players who are moved up the
chain.